WestJet pilots could be off the job as early as 3 am Friday morning. The Air Line Pilots Association issued a 72-hour strike notice last night, which was quickly followed by a lockout notice to pilots from the airline.
"While progress was made on most non-cost items, both sides have been unable to reach an agreement that will serve the best interests of all parties involved," the union statement said.
Shortly after, WestJet responded with the lockout notice, which does not mean a work stoppage is inevitable, but enables it to take immediate steps to manage impact.
"The decision to issue a lockout notice, in response to the actions taken by the union today, was not one that was made lightly, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience and uncertainty this continues to cause for our guests," WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement.
Alexis von Hoensbroech (Alexis von Hoensbroech)
The WestJet Group says it has offered "a generous contract that if agreed to will make its first officers and captains the highest paid narrow-body pilots in Canada, with a significant advantage over the next best paying Canadian airline." The company also says the proposed contract works to address the concerns of WestJet and Swoop pilots surrounding job security and scope.
In March, Delta Air Lines pilots signed a lucrative deal giving them a cumulative 34% pay increase over three years. That not only put big pressure on rivals United and American Airlines, but it also encouraged the salary aspirations of pilots north of the border.
WestJet says a contract on par with what Delta' pilots got would be financially unworkable and put the company's future at risk.
"Despite efforts to be reasonable and provide significant improvements to the current contract, the union maintains its expectation of closing in towards U.S.-like wages, despite living and working in Canada. This expectation is not reasonable and is impeding the WestJet Group's ability to reach an agreement in advance of the upcoming long weekend."
Capt. Bernard Lewall, who chairs ALPA's WestJet pilot group, said in a statement that airline management "still fails to understand today's labour market conditions" that have led pilots to seek better employment conditions elsewhere.
"Without the economic and job security improvements our pilots require, WestJet will be parking planes, as they will not have enough pilots to operate them or accomplish its own growth strategy," Lewall said.
While a strike may still be averted, WestJet says it is beginning preparations to operate a significantly reduced schedule with fewer Westjet and Swoop flights. It says it will provide flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternative arrangements. Should flight delays or cancellations occur, the airline said "impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable."
"We truly value the work and contributions of our pilots," said Von Hoensbroech. "We believe with a commitment from both parties, an agreement is achievable, and (we) are committed to offering pilots a competitive collective agreement with meaningful improvements for the Canadian market, whilst remaining competitive at the same time."
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